ESO Mora's Boons: What Are Verses And Visions Explained

Update 40 for The Elder Scrolls Online introduces players to a new dungeon-like activity, the Endless Archive, accessed from the in-game map or traveling to Apocrypha from the Speiran Tarn Wayshrine going northwest. Once inside, players can claim the Daily Quest from Master Malkhest and locate the Watching merchants, Filers Tezurs and Ool, in the Index Chamber before exploring Hermaeus Mora’s secret library.

To make the exploration of the archive less challenging, the developer has added new mechanics, Mystery Verses and Visions, which can grant temporary and permanent buffs. We’ve explained in this guide what Mystery Verses and Visions are, how they work, and where to get them in The Elder Scrolls Online.

What Are Mystery Verses In The Elder Scrolls Online?

An Arc is comprised of five Cycles, of which four Cycles feature three Stages of 12 rounds, with the final Stage being a boss encounter with Tho’at Replicanum. During your run within the Endless Archive, there are unique buffs that players can take advantage of, namely Mora’s Boons.

These boons feature two unique buffs: Mystery Verses and Visions, which players have the option of choosing, but each has varying effects when applied. Verses are temporary buffs that can be selected after completing each Stage, and they expire at the end of the next Stage.

You can choose between various Verses which are classified under one of three types: Defensive, Offensive, and Utility Verses. The type of Verses you choose to bring into the next Stage can be influenced by whether you're completing the Endless Archive as a solo player, with a Companion, or with a friend.

Players completing the archive with a friend or Companion may see a consistent impact of the Verses compared to solo player runs. This is why the developers have recommended completing an Arc with a Companion or friend to gain the effects of the selected Verses.

What Are Mystery Visions In The Elder Scrolls Online?

On the other hand, Visions are permanent buffs that players can select from after completing the boss encounter at the end of each Cycle. These buffs, as mentioned, are permanent as they remain active until players finish an Arc where they expire, which makes these buffs more valuable as they last for the entire archive run.

It’s therefore vital for you to choose carefully which Vision to select from, depending on the playstyle and goals you wish to accomplish. Thus, the Vision chosen for completing the Daily Quest will differ from those selected for clearing a more challenging Arc, or when farming Archival Fortunes.

Akin to Mystery Verses, Visions are also classed into three different types: Defensive, Offensive, and Utility, which are determined based on playstyle, goals, and whether players are exploring the archive solo, with a Companion or a friend. Therefore, the developer encourages players to utilize different strategies and synergies when selecting a Verse or a Vision for increased damage and additional perks.

Regarding Verses, they can also be acquired from the archive merchant, Filer Tezurs, located at the Index Chamber. The Watchling merchant has Mystery Defensive and Utility Verses to purchase using Archival Fortunes, earned when exploring and battling their way throughout the Endless Archive.

The Elder Scrolls Online is available for the PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, Mac, and PC via Epic Games Store and Steam. Players can install the game launcher detailed in this guide as Update 40 releases for Mac and PC on 30th October 2023.